|
Featured Sections Headlines Opinion Obituaries Sports Crime Blotter Stolen Property Happenings Country Cooking Wandering Minds Classifieds Birthdays Off The Wall Cartoons On The Record Archives Church Listings   Featured Columns Dr. Myers Carl Langley Editor's Column Registered Sex Offenders for Edgefield County 2005 Crime Stats Video & Audio Updates Audio Archive (Testing) Video Archive Contact us Contact Info or E-mail the Editor Phone: 803-634-0964 day 803-279-5041 eve 803-279-8943 fax Mail to EdgefieldDaily.com PO Box 972 Edgefield SC 29824 School System EC District Office School Board Strom Thurmond Charter Schools Fox Creek Private Schools Wardlaw Academy Public Offices Edgefield County Edgefield Johnston Trenton Political State and Federal Legislative Contacts Local Political Parties Republican Party Democrat Party Chamber of Commerce Edgefield County Chamber Historical Edgefield Genealogical Society News links Edgefield Advertiser The Citizen News Aiken Standard North Augusta Star The State Augusta Chronicle Atlanta Journal United Press Associated Press FOX News Reuters CNS News WorldNet Daily Newsmax Drudge Report GoogleNews Yahoo!News New York Times New York Post Los Angeles Times Washington Times Washington Post |
 Johnston turns back new unregistered cars ordinance, approves motel-hotel tax web posted November 11, 2008  JOHNSTON - The
Johnston Town Council
held its November monthly meeting with a packed crowd and heated
exchanges, but in the end were able to muddle through and complete
their lengthy agenda. After voting on the normal procedural approval of
previous meetings the Mayor Opened the floor to those who wish to speak
in a public hearing on the final reading of and ordinance to remove a
45-day time limit on the number of unregistered cars that could be
parked at residential properties.Town Administrator Keith Coones stated that under the new ordinance the town would be lifting the 45-day limit on unregistered cars parked at homes. About a half dozen people spoke at the public hearing, some for and some against the idea. Bridgett Clark said she was not opposed to the new ordinance but had concerns about there being “no time limit”. Brinalynn Burt spoke up saying she felt that property owners pay taxes and what they did on their property was their business and as long as the cars were not causing a problem she did not see the need to force owners to remove them. Patricia Stokes had a similar view. Sonny Dukes spoke against the measure saying that the current ordinance was “well thought out” and that since the planning and zoning commission has suggested the ordinance be rejected, “Let’s beautify our town, and this is the way to do it, let’s keep it (the current ordinance). The debate drew on as a confrontation between Mayor Willie Campbell and town councilman Tommy Burton became heated and the Mayor ordered Johnston Police Chief Chris Aston to remove Mr. Burton from the meeting. After clearing the council chambers a vote was taken to go into executive session. Once emerging from the session, Mr. Burton remained at his seat and the meeting continued. When the meeting continued Mayor Campbell asked for a motion of the new zoning ordinance which was quickly motioned for approval by Councilman Tommy Burton. The Mayor called three times for a second to the motion and the remaining councilmember’s sat silent. The ordinance died for lack of a second and was not passed, leaving the current 45-day limit in effect. Next on the agenda was a consideration of restricting the use of compression brakes, “Jake Brakes”, by tractor-trailer trucks driving through the town. Town Administrator Keith Coones said he contacted every county and municipality to see if any had implemented a ban and found that some had considered a similar measure but their attorneys warned against the restriction because it could place the town at risk of being held liable in the event of a crash that the driver could claim he was unable to use lawfully approved braking equipment in order to avoid a collision. Edgefield County Emergency Management Director Mike Casey addressed the town council on the soon to be implemented early tornado warning systems being implemented in Edgefield, Johnston, and Trenton. Mr. Casesy said he was pleased at the level of cooperation of the town to warn residents of impending danger in the event of a tornado. Mr. Casey said the matter was first addressed by Edgefield Mayor Ken Durham and was “batted around” for some months. Edgefield has completed their installment of the necessary equipment and Johnston and Trenton were also signing on. The warning, that will use the current fire siren, would be activated in the event a known tornado was either in the county or forecast heading into the county. Mr. Casey said that the siren would be sounded for a two-minute continuous blast to warn residents of impending dangerous weather and to seek shelter or a secure location. Currently the early warning system was in “Phase 1”, with Edgefield already completing the installation of the necessary equipment and Johnston and Trenton were in the process. The warning would be issued by the E911 Dispatch Center and at the time of activation would set off the sirens in all three towns. Mr. Casey said regardless of where the tornado was located, it was better to alert all areas of the danger because tornadoes do not follow predictable paths. “We’d rather err on the side of safety,” Casey said. Mr. Casey also took the time to plug residents buying a weather alert radio that would monitor extreme weather situations and would go off if you were in an affected area. He said the cost of such a radio is around $35 and could be made available from the towns or local fire departments if they chose to do so but can be purchased at any electronics store such as Radio Shack. Testing of the new warning system will begin in the next two weeks. Mr. Casey also advised against residents calling 911 during an alert to ask for weather updates as dispatchers would be busy trying to alert emergency crews during such an event. A media release will be issued prior to the testing. Under New Business, Town Administrator Coones said that the town had received notification that the amount of funding from the state on Aid to Subdivisions (municipalities) has risen from 25 to 5.5%, or a reduction in funds of $4,516. As such, the town will need to pass amend their budget to reflect the lower funds due to the requirement of having to have a balanced budget. The town council also approved a 7% Hotels-Motels Accommodations tax for such businesses in the town limits as a way to offset some of the reduced funding. The tax is expected to generate around $4,200 in additional revenues. Most municipalities place such a tax on lodging in their boundaries, Mr. Coones said. Councilman Tommy Burton voted against the measure. The town council also approved a Sick Leave Bank for workers that would allow other workers to donate their accumulated sick time to another employee in the event of an extended illness. Administrator Coones said after the passage that if a lower paid employee donated his or her time to a higher paid employee it would be paid at the rate of the lower scale. If a higher paid employee donated time to a lower paid employee it would still be paid at the lower paid employee’s rate. Coones said this made it available to the employees and was still “fiscally responsible” on the part of the town. The town also approved the schedule for the 2009 holidays and meeting schedule. ©
Copyright 2008
EdgefieldDaily.com All
original material is property of
EdgefieldDaily.com and cannot be reproduced, rewritten or redistributed
without the expressed written permission of Edgefield Daily.com
|
Additional Ad locations available Contact Us  Parting Shots A new book by Columnist Carl Langley -------  JAM Straight Customs  NOTICE:
We still need recipes for Cooking Section WEBNEWS – Send in your favorite or favorites. There is no limit to the number of recipes you can send in. With the Editor’s wife being the driving force behind her own personal section, help her create an exchange of local favorites, home cooking, grilling, sauces, and deserts! Send in your submissions here. |
